DJ's Old-Time Granny and Dyn-O-Mite spin old school soul, funk, and disco jams! The show airs on special occasions on WCOM radio, 103.5 FM in Carrboro, NC, and streams online worldwide. www.resoul.org

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Letta Mbulu - Buza (There's A Light At The End Of A Tunnel) (1978)

Seeing as how I'm up late, and attempting to get to bed, I was not trying to anoint a new Joint Of The Day right now. But one just fell into my lap. You can always tell a great track 'round about the time you realize it's the fourth time you've had the needle on repeat, and when it's getting close to the end, all you want to do is listen to it again.

This is a thrift store record, vintage Elliott Road PTA. Letta Mbulu, the track is Buza (There's A Light At The End Of A Tunnel), off her LP Letta, released 1978 on A&M. She sings this particular cut in Xhosa, and it uses a Mbaqanga rhythm. That's what it says in the notes. Co-written with her by the legendary Motown producer/songwriter Lamont Dozier.

The album was co-produced by Herb Alpert, Stewart Levine, and Letta's husband Caiphus Semenya. Featuring a huge ensemble of horn players and percussionists, including Paulinho da Costa. Plus other standout tracks of a disco-funk-afro-jazz flavor, including Baile Baneso and I Can Depend On You. The whole package is positive, powerful, and Letta imparts some deep wisdom on the inner sleeve:

"I feel that the spirit of the music I make is universal, like the soul of man. It transcends all psychological, cultural and racial barriers. Love, Peace, and Progress - Letta Mbulu"

Buza is my fave. I'm diggin' it. And unfortunately, it's not available on YouTube, although you can get a taste of another track off Letta, Jikijela Ngamatje.

(Note from July, 2014 - It took four and a half years, until this past May, but somebody finally got wise to what a crime against humanity it was that this track was missing from the YouTube multiverse and uploaded it! Mad props to Zakhele Gumede!

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Who's Got the Joint of the Day?

Emma: Hey, Harold, I was checking out the blog for that radio show you listen to sometimes.

Harold: Those cats are bringing the funk back, right? Outstanding!

Emma: Yeah, but I'm confused. What's the difference between a Joint of the Day (JOTD), and a Back in the Day (BITD) post?

Harold: When you riding the bus, and you find yourself listening to a solid tune flowing out of somebody's headphones, or you discover somethin' choice at the thrift store, or otherwise stumble onto a great old school track in your present day life, that's a Joint of the Day. You dig?

Emma: But a Back in the Day, that's giving props to a classic track, no matter if you heard it that day or not? Because from the moment it dropped, its influence has been radiating outwards, causing funky waves throughout history?